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UConn faculty band Off Yer Rockers raised money for the Covenant Soup Kitchen through donations at a Co-op performance Monday.

Out of the classroom and rocking the Co-op

UConn faculty band Off Yer Rockers raises money for soup kitchen and rocks out

By: Katie Hannafin

Posted: 11/4/08

"This is why I went to college...to get this kazoo," said Eric Hosmer, a 1st-semester exploratory major who attended yesterday evening's "Off Yer Rockers" fundraiser rock concert at the Co-op, held to raise donations for the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic.

Hosmer went to support his psychology professor, David Miller-one of the lead singers and rhythm guitarist of the UConn faculty-comprised band.

"I made a donation with the money I don't have, being a college kid, but I figured I had nothing better to do," said Hosmer.

"Off Yer Rockers" performed with strong vocals and impressive instrumentals for a solid hour, drawing a diverse crowd with many loud rock songs and a few slow crooners. To get the audience excited and involved, trivia questions about songs they played were asked, and winners earned kazoos.

"They're collector's items, these kazoos- sell it on Ebay!" joked Harry Frank, chemistry professor and bass guitar player.

The other three band members are Davita Silfen Glasberg, sociology professor and other lead vocalist, mechanical engineering professor Eric Jordan on drums, and Ernie Zirakzadeh, political science professor and lead guitarist.

The band rocked the Co-Op with many covers like "Gimme Some Loving," "Further On Up the Road," and "Viva la Vida."

"The Coldplay song "Viva la Vida" is probably the most current song we've ever performed," Miller said.

"We let him get away with it this time," Glasberg said about the strangeness of performing a song so new, since the "oldies" genre is obviously their forte. Lead singers Glasberg and Miller switched back and forth between solos and belted their voices across the Co-op.

Miller gave a comical shout-out to his mother in the audience, and reminded everyone to vote in the elections.

The last song played put the kazoo prizes to use when the audience was asked to use them during The Rolling Stones "Paint it Black," which had Miller screaming and hooting in a great rendition of the classic song.

The performance raised what appeared to be a decent amount of money for the Covenant Soup Kitchen where "the shelves are bare and we're just trying to help out," Miller said. They will be back next year for a similar fundraiser and encourage everyone to donate whatever they can to the Soup Kitchen, especially with Thanksgiving coming soon.